Despite being overstretched by shortages of reliable equipment and thousands of vacant positions, the German military is reportedly planning to deploy troops to Iraq as part of a new mission to train security forces there.

German advisers are expected to mentor Iraqi soldiers, training them in explosive ordnance disposal, military logistics as well as field medicine, according to a 15-page parliamentary mandate accessed by broadcaster ARD. Germany will also help Iraq to build up “a transparent command-and-control structure” of its security forces.